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People contact us with all sorts of concerns and what might be a small issue to you may be huge to someone else.

You could be going through something new or have been struggling to cope for some time, either way, we're here if you feel you need some extra support.

If what's getting to you isn't on this list, please still get in touch.

Common reasons people contact us are:

relationship and family problems

loss, including loss of a friend or a family member through bereavement

financial worries

job-related stress

college or study-related stress

loneliness and isolation

depression

painful and/or disabling physical illness

heavy use of or dependency on alcohol or other drugs

thoughts of suicide

We won't make decisions for you, and we'll support the decisions you make.

You are the expert on your own life. Our advice or opinions are not important.

If you want advice, we may be able to give you contact details for organisations that specialise in helping with specific problems and situations.

Calling from some landlines
All UK mobile phone networks and telephone providers have confirmed to us that Samaritans' 116 123 number is available and free to call from landlines and mobiles.

However, some offices, organisations and care homes have restrictions on the types of numbers that can be dialled; this means that if you try call us from an office phone, you might get a busy tone or message saying that it is an unrecognised number.

If you're unable to change the settings of your phone system, you can also call 116 123 for free from any UK mobile. Another option is to call 0330 094 5717 (local call charges will apply and will appear on your bill).
Has Samaritans' UK helpline number changed?
Yes, in September 2015, we launched a our new UK helpline number, 116 123. (It replaces our old UK helpline number, 08457 90 90 90.) Our listening service is exactly the same.

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Whatever you're going through, call us free any time, from any phone, on 116 123.

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Can't afford to top up a prepayment meter? 

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Can't afford to top up a prepayment meter? 

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You can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter

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Ways you can make your prepayment meter more affordable, and how to get gas or electricity urgently if you’ve run out of credit

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We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2021 to 2022 has closed. The scheme will reopen again in November 2022. This page will be updated soon.

If you live in England and Wales

The following suppliers are part of the scheme:

If you live in Scotland

You'll need to check in October which energy suppliers will be part of the scheme for winter 2022 and 2023. Some energy suppliers may open their schemes earlier.

If your supplier is no longer trading

If the electricity supplier you were with stops trading, you may still be eligible for a Warm Home Discount. Ofgem will appoint your new supplier for you.

Check with your new supplier if you're eligible for the discount.

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Skip to main content We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We'd like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

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Changeworks is Scotland's leading energy efficiency organisation, with over 35 years' experience in delivering impactful low carbon living solutions.

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The cost of living crisis and the increase in energy prices are worrying for us all. We can help with free, impartial advice on saving energy, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, cutting water waste and more. We've also published a detailed list of programmes and services that can help with financial support like debt, emergency funding and fuel vouchers.

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Free, impartial advice on energy saving, keeping warm at home, renewable energy, greener travel, cutting water waste & more. Contact us today.

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Get help if you’re behind with your energy bills

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Find out what to do if you’re having problems paying your energy bills or you’re in debt to your supplier

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cheap electric blankets, weighted blankets and winter clothes like hats, jackets, gloves. Invest in good bedding (IKEA, home bargains, B&M, certain charity shops) and hot water bottles.

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From draught proofing windows to your front door, and even your floors. Find out how to keep heat inside your home.

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The referral process for food banks and other crisis support in Edinburgh

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If you’re already signed on to some form of income support, but you’re faced with a short-term financial crisis, it might be possible for you to get a Community Care Grant. These are outright grants – not loans – so, if you qualify for one,…

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Check if you can get the Pregnancy and Baby Payment

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Find out if you’re eligible for the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, a new Scottish benefit to help parents and carers on low incomes with the costs of having a child in the family.

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What is a crisis grant

Crisis grants provide help if you need money quickly because of an emergency or a disaster. They're 'discretionary grants', which means you might not get one automatically just because you're eligible for one.

Your local council will decide whether to award you a grant based on the priority level of your application and the amount of money left in the council's budget. If you get a crisis grant, you don't have to pay it back.

Read more about crisis grants on mygov.scot.

Who can get a crisis grant

You can get a crisis grant if you're:

You don't have to be getting benefits to be eligible. But if you're getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Pension Credit, you'll be considered to be on a low income.

You can usually only get a crisis grant from the local council where you live or where you're about to move to.

You can get a crisis grant if your benefit is stopped or reduced by a sanction from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The local council shouldn't take the reason for your sanction into account when deciding about your application.

If you're from the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland

Refugee families

Refugee families are entitled to crisis grants after they arrive in Scotland if they have leave to remain and are experiencing a crisis or disaster.

Refugees who are already living in Scotland can apply for a family reunion crisis grant before they're reunited with other family members who are about to arrive in Scotland. This is to help newly reunited families cope financially while the newly arrived refugees wait for their benefit applications to be processed.

Who can't get a crisis grant

You can't get a crisis grant if you've applied for the same items or services in the last 28 days, unless your circumstances have changed.

You can't normally get more than three crisis grants in a 12-month period, unless you can show that it wasn't your fault that you need another crisis grant.

You can't get a crisis grant if you have resources of your own which you could use to help you deal with the emergency or disaster. For example, if you have family who can help you out financially, you're unlikely to get a crisis grant.

If you're waiting for benefits

You can't normally get a crisis grant to help with your living costs if:

In these situations, you can ask the DWP for a short-term benefit advance or a Universal Credit advance. You should apply via your Jobcentre or the phone number for the benefit you've applied for.

Read more about short-term benefit advances and Universal Credit advances.

If your need is severe, your local council might make an exception and award you a crisis grant while your application to the DWP is in progress. For example, this might be appropriate if the DWP lost your application and you've had to reapply.

If you're subject to immigration control

You can't get a crisis grant if you're a person subject to immigration control who has no recourse to public funds.

What can a crisis grant cover

A crisis grant can be made when you've experienced some emergency or disaster and you have unexpected expenses that you can't meet. The grant must be needed to prevent serious damage or risk to the health or safety of you or your family.

Crisis grants can cover a range of different situations, so it's worth applying even if you're not sure that you qualify.

Emergencies and disasters

Examples of emergencies include:

your money has been lost or stolen and you have no money for living expenses

there's been a breakdown of relationships in your family, perhaps involving domestic violence

you have nowhere to stay and might have to sleep rough.

Examples of disasters include a serious flood, fire or gas explosion which has caused serious damage to your property.

Living expenses and items

Living expenses that you might be able to get a grant for after an emergency include food, essential heating costs, nappies and toiletries, travel costs and costs for accommodation in a hostel.

Items that might be awarded after a disaster include furniture, household equipment, travel costs, removal expenses, storage charges and connection charges for gas and electricity.

What can't a crisis grant cover

Some expenses are excluded from crisis grants.

You can't get a crisis grant for rent in advance for new accommodation. If you need help to pay your rent in advance, you might be able to get a discretionary housing payment from your local council or a budgeting loan or budgeting advance from the DWP.

If you want more information about discretionary housing payments, you should consult an experienced adviser, for example at a Citizens Advice Bureau. Find out where to get advice.

You can't get a crisis grant for:

How to apply for a crisis grant

You should check if your local council accepts applications for crisis grants by:

It's important to include all the relevant information on the application form and explain what could happen if you don't get a grant. A social worker or someone else who works with you might be able to help you complete your application.

Find out how to apply for a crisis grant on mygov.scot.

You can also get help from an experienced adviser, for example at a Citizens Advice Bureau. Find out where to get advice.

How a decision is made

Local councils give each crisis grant application a priority level: high, medium or low. Then they decide which priority levels of application they can afford to pay each month.

For example, a local council might decide that in some months, it can only afford to pay high-priority applications. At other times, it might be able to pay high-, medium- and low-priority applications.

To decide on the priority level of your application, your local council will look at:

Examples of factors that might increase your vulnerability are:

You might get exactly what you asked for, or you might only get a part of what you applied for. You'll usually be awarded cash or a cash equivalent, such as high street vouchers.

You can ask to get your award in kind if this would suit you better, for example if you'd like to get household goods, such as a fridge. If the grant is for furniture or white goods, it should include delivery and installation or fitting costs.

Minimum and maximum amounts

There's no minimum amount that you can get for a crisis grant. You might have applied for a crisis grant to replace certain items after a disaster or to cover living expenses in an emergency.

There's no maximum amount that you can get for a crisis grant for items.

There is a maximum amount that you can get for a crisis grant for living expenses. The level depends on your situation, as follows:

If you're liable for rent or mortgage payments, or you're homeless, the level is 60% of the Income Support personal allowance for an adult plus the full allowance for each child. These amounts are applied proportionally to take account of your next benefit payment, if appropriate.

If you're not liable for rent or mortgage payments, the level is 30% of the Income Support personal allowance for an adult plus the full allowance for each child. These amounts are applied proportionally to take account of your next benefit payment, if appropriate.

You can track your application by contacting the local council you applied to. Find your local council on mygov.scot.

When will a decision be made

Your local council should decide on your application no later than the end of the next working day after the council has got all the information it needs.

Your council should tell you its decision as quickly as possible. The council might phone, text or email you to let you know. You should still get an official decision letter to back up the phone call, text or email.

Challenging a crisis grant decision

If your local council refuses your application, or you're given less than you applied for, you can ask the council to look again at the decision. You need to make this request within 20 working days of the local council telling you about the decision.

If you're unhappy with the outcome of this review, you can apply to the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO) for an independent review. You'll usually need to do this within one month of getting the decision from the local council about your first review. Read more about independent reviews on the SPSO website.

If you accept the local council's decision about your application but are unhappy for another reason, for example you think you got a bad service, you can complain to the local council. If you've been through the local council's complaints procedure and are still unhappy, you can then complain to the SPSO.

If you're thinking of challenging a crisis grant decision, you can get advice from a Citizens Advice Bureau. Find out where to get advice.

Foodbanks

If you can't manage to feed yourself or your family, you might be able to get emergency help from a local foodbank.

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Crisis grants are made to help you cope with unexpected expenses arising from an emergency or a disaster. They are paid out of the Scottish Welfare Fund.

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General Fund Grants for Individuals and Families - Edinburgh & Lothian Trust Fund

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The Edinburgh & Lothian Trust Fund makes grants to individuals in need, but does not accept applications directly from members of the public.

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Medication - are prescriptions up to date?

Is your library card valid?

Is your bus pass valid?

Is your flu vaccine/covid jab up to date?

Is your internet connection sorted?

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The Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021 means you can access free period products across Edinburgh, why not try:

Crew2000's drop in (32/32a cockburn street, EH1 1PB)

Edinburgh Community Food

Craigmillar Library

Or try the app PickupMyPeriod to find free period products near you!https://www.mygov.scot/free-period-products

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Find out how to get free period products in Scotland

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Lunch clubs @ Hibernian Community Foundation

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Lunch clubs @ Hibernian Community Foundation

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Lunch is served 12-2pm, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday out of the new Hibernian Community Hub in the Famous Five Stand at Easter Road Stadium.

There is a pantry available, operating weekly on Wednesdays, in partnership with Cyrenians Fare Share. You can pay £2.50 to collect multiple items.

We also offer free hair cuts every two weeks at our Wednesday Community Lunch.

Pitch To Plate is a multi-cultural meal that takes place on the first Tuesday of every month between 6 and 8. There are additional services available too: Clothing Bank, Book Bank, Wifi, warm space, extra food to take away

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Lunch Club - Hibernian Community Foundation

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Lunch Club - Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday

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Central Church, Central Hall, West Tollcross - Sundays 2pm

Oxgangs Community Church, Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre, Sundays 5-6pm

Life Church, 2 Davie Street, Sundays 5:30pm

City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, Nicolson Square, Newington, Mondays 5:30pm

Mustard Seed Edinburgh, St Margaret’s, 170 Easter Road, Saturdays 4:30pm (for families)

Ps and Gs Church, York Place, Saturdays 5pm-6pm (The Saturday Meal)

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Freshly prepared delicious hot meals | Soul Food Edinburgh

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Soul Food Edinburgh is more than a meal. We provide hot, delicious and freshly prepared meals while also offering respite and support to anyone dealing with the challenges of homelessness, poverty or loneliness.

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Community lunch, every Friday, visit us between 12-2pm for a freshly prepared sit-down or takeaway meal. If you're coming by bus, you can reach us using the 8, 16, 17, 19, 22, and 47.

Meal packs - extra food to take away

Wellbeing support - We provide lunch, dinner and snacks for 4 days of the week. Meals are cooked from scratch and can easily be heated in the microwave or on the hob.

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Daily meal packs

A day pack contains breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. The meals are delivered cold and can easily be heated in the microwave or on the hob.
They are delivered to your door between 11AM and 2PM by our drivers and cyclists.

Daily hot meal service

Hot meals are freshly prepared and served daily outside Leith Theatre.

There are two meals per day:

Lunch (12PM-1PM)

Dinner (4:30PM-5:30PM)

Get In Touch

If you or someone you know is experiencing reduced safe access to food and can benefit from our services, please send us a message. One of our team will contact you as soon as possible.

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Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts | Edinburgh | Scotland

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Daily meal packs A day pack contains breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. The meals are delivered cold and can easily be heated in the microwave or on the hob. They are delivered to your door between 11AM and 2PM by our drivers and cyclists.

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Dads Rock - working with dads up to 30 years old

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Dads Rock - working with dads up to 30 years old

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Giving young men the skills and confidence to enjoy fatherhood.

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LGBT Health & Wellbeing support & services 

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LGBT Health & Wellbeing support & services 

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Rose Street Coffee Shop, 131 Rose Street, Edinburgh, EH2 3DT

Takeaway Free Food Times - Monday – Friday, Breakfast rolls: 8:00am – 9:30am, Evening scran: 4:00pm – 4:45pm

Sit-In Free Food Services - Thursdays 4pm-5pm. Telephone: 0131 353 0250

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Social Bite | A Movement to End Homelessness

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This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website.

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Our Community Pantries offer a unique, low cost way to access a variety of foods, including Chilled and fresh produce, and ambient cupboard staples.

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How to respond if your utilities cut out

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How you and your loved ones can stay safe in the event your power, water or gas is suddenly cut.

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By registering for this free service, you will receive extra help if you’re without your gas supply either in an emergency or because of planned work

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By registering for this free service, you will receive extra help if you’re without your gas supply either in an emergency or because of planned work

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Priority Services Register | SGN Your gas. Our network.

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Find out about the Priority Services Register (PSR), a free service to help make sure you get the support you need during an electricity or gas emergency.

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Turn2us Edinburgh Trust grants have been a lifeline for many people across the city for more than a decade. Through our network of 40 referral partners, we've been able to help thousands of people to access cash grants. 

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Turn2us Edinburgh Trust grants have been a lifeline for many people across the city for more than a decade. Through our network of 40 referral partners, we've been able to help thousands of people to access cash grants. 

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Turn2us Edinburgh Trust fund information

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A fund offering support to people struggling financially in Edinburgh. A Turn2us Edinburgh Trust partner organisation must apply on the person’s behalf.

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Key Partners

You don't have to go through this alone.

If you are struggling today, need support with your mental health, or have experienced a traumatic event, consider contacting a helpline. It's free, anonymous and confidential.

What are helplines?

Helplines (also known as hotlines or crisis lines) provide immediate crisis counseling, emotional support and information - for free.

Most helpline phone numbers are toll-free and many helplines are available over text message or online chat. Helplines are often available 24/7, so you can contact them at any time of the day or night.

How will a helpline, hotline or crisis line support me?

Helplines provide a judgment-free space for you to talk through difficult emotions and experiences, receive support, and connect to other resources that can help you. Talking helps, and research has shown that people feel less distressed after contacting helplines.

What can I talk to a helpline about?

However, helplines are available for a wide range of mental health, mental illness and behavioral health experiences including anxiety, depression, gender or sexual identity and substance use.

You don't have to be suicidal to contact a helpline. You might just need to talk, or want information on supporting others in your life that you are care about.

How do I find the best helpline for me?

In some countries, many helplines are available. For example, if you live in the United States, popular nationwide helplines are the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, Crisis Text Line and TrevorLifeline.

When you search for a helpline on Find A Helpline, our intelligent ranking algorithm will recommend the best helplines for you. You can also further filter according to your needs, and read helpline descriptions to learn more about the service each helpline provides.

Because helplines are free, you can contact more than one service to find the right one for you.

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Find A Helpline | Free emotional support in 130+ countries

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Key Partners If you are struggling today, need support with your mental health, or have experienced a traumatic event, consider contacting a helpline. It's free, anonymous and confidential. Helplines (also known as hotlines or crisis lines) provide immediate crisis counseling, emotional support and information - for free.

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Information & support

The whole spectrum of life is reflected in the calls we receive to Breathing Space. The sooner you talk to us the better you might feel. (Please note that Breathing Space is a service for people in Scotland)

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Breathing Space is a free confidential service for people in Scotland. Open up when you're feeling down - phone 0800 83 85 87

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Information & support The whole spectrum of life is reflected in the calls we receive to Breathing Space. The sooner you talk to us the better you might feel. (Please note that Breathing Space is a service for people in Scotland)

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Home / About Childline pages / About Childline

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We provide free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK through Shout

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A helpline for all LGBT+ people (16+) across Scotland, including partners, family, friends and carers of LGBT+ people.

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​We provide trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual abuse and complex trauma who are experiencing struggles with their mental health and /or have learning support needs.

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Frontline19 Courses & Workshops

Our expert courses, workshops and training resources are written and delivered by psychotherapists who specialise in the field of mental health and wellbeing.

We are experienced in working with the NHS, emergency services, the voluntary sector, private organisations and educational settings in addition to providing general public skills sessions for parents, families, children and young people.

We are professional, knowledgeable, friendly, caring, and we will provide a sense of confidence and security for those we support with safe boundaries, expertise, positive communication and efficient systems.

Click below to book on to one of our expert courses.

Get Support

Frontline19 is a FREE independent, confidential and UK based nationwide service delivering psychological support to people working on the frontline.

Unsure if you qualify? Please get in touch via the contact tab.

With a vast network of qualified psychological practitioners, we can ensure you get the right help quickly and easily.

It's confidential, and it's free.

Frontline19.com

Free and confidential service for frontline workers

Frontline19 is an independent UK nationwide service delivering psychological support to the NHS and Frontline. We can ensure you get the right help quickly and easily. It's confidential, and it's free.

Registered as FL19 CIC (Community Interest Company) non-profit: 13038853

Get in touch

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Free and confidential service for frontline workers - Frontline19

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Frontline19 is a UK nationwide service delivering supervision, debriefing and emotional support to healthcare workers during times of crisis. With a vast network of thousands of qualified therapeutic practitioners, we can ensure you get the right help quickly and easily. It's confidential, and it's free. %

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We help you explore your mental health and wellbeing, achieve your personal goals and develop practical coping strategies. Find out how we support you.

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Scotland's first ever network of walk-in mental health support hubs

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Scotland's first ever network of walk-in mental health support hubs

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We offer tailored 1-2-1 support for unpaid carers, helping them to navigate their caring role and improve their wellbeing.

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SupportED - The Community Eating Disorder Charity

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We work in communities across Scotland to support people with an eating disorder, their families and carers. We aid your journey to recovery.

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Keeping in touch with others and taking part in social activities can help us stay connected and prevent feelings of loneliness. Some local Age UK’s run groups aimed at older LGBT+ people.

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Community Resource: A Practical Guide to Queer Edinburgh These resources were compiled by Lei Beardmore (they/them), a human rights and humanitarian practitioner, researcher and artist based between Edinburgh and Athens, […]